Lean and Six Sigma in Healthcare

Lean and Six Sigma are two powerful methodologies with different origins, toolkits, and approaches. When deployed together, they complement each other to multiply the effectiveness of improvement initiatives. Lean Six Sigma brings the combined power of these two approaches to any improvement effort in a healthcare context. Using healthcare examples and applications, this course introduces the basic mechanism of Six Sigma: reducing variation and improving quality through statistical analysis and DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) methodology. It explains foundational concepts and assumptions about how processes work, and how Six Sigma tools can reduce errors in those processes and their outputs. The course examines how the Six Sigma tools and method support Lean in streamlining processes, reducing waste, and increasing efficiency and patient/customer satisfaction.